Journey Into Wholeness

The Vision

Recent surveys found that over 90% of people in Britain believe in the spiritual realm. Many are searching for holistic health and real spirituality. Sadly, they no longer look to Christianity and the church for answers, but to other beliefs and religions. By 1999, some Christians in Colchester has begun to pray about how best to reach spiritual seekers at the annual Mind Body Soul Exhibition. Since 2001, Journey into Wholeness have had a Christian stall there.

The JIW Stall

The stall is manned by about 20 Christians from various churches, working in teams of three or four in 2-hour shifts. We want to share Jesus in a friendly and relevant way with many of the thousands visiting the exhibition, give suitable literature, offer prayer and invitations to follow-up events. A number are surprisingly open and eager to be prayed for. We have presented seminars on "Life Mapping" (God's guidance), "Essence for Life" and "Spirit Space" and all have provided opportunities for several good conversations.

Prayer

Prayer is the powerhouse for JIW. Those who support in prayer at home and by responding to the monthly Prayer News are an essential support. Once again we are holding a Prayer Vigil at the St Paul's Centre (by kind permission of Father Peter Walker) just along Cowdray Avenue from the Charter Hall. Here, stall workers, pray-ers and prayer walkers report back, and will receive encouragement and refreshment, and an opportunity to listen to the Lord. We are privileged to have the Boiler Room Community providing 24/7 prayer coverage at the St Paul's Centre - From Friday evening continuously to the Sunday evening.

Training Workshops

Most of us need help to understand better the beliefs which attract people away from the Biblical truth, to answer questions and practice sharing our faith in a positive and loving way! The JIW training workshops are practical, and aim to equip any Christian in day to day witness as well as prepare those who serve on the exhibition stall. Topics include: an overview of New Age beliefs, cultural influences, post-modern philosophy made easy (!), the Christian response, hard questions and answers, how to start a conversation using literature and visual aids, the art of listening, preparing the ground in prayer, etc.

Support

Christians from many different churches support this project, some from outside Colchester. The Lord has supplied for our careful budget through a small number of sacrificial gifts. We would like to welcome more individuals and churches onto the prayer, training and financial support teams. This will enable JIW to reach many more New Age spiritual seekers on their ground this year with the truth, love, new life and hope only found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Current JIW Plans

The name "Journey into Wholeness" is becoming well-known within the Mind Body Soul Exhibition network as there are separate JIW groups around the country, from Lincoln in the North, to Brighton on the South (thanks to the hard work done by our National Co-ordinator, Sally Coleman).

Follow Up Events

We believe its important to have some follow up events to offer people who have stopped to talk, or be prayed for. Good ongoing relationships are a key to helping contacts to find personal faith in Jesus, and the MBS Exhibition is just a starting point. We are still in contact with people from 2003! Since then we have held Storytelling Parties and two Labyrinths, and invited contacts to other suitable Christian events.

Want to know more?

Please contact us for some literature and more information.